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Leadless leader length (14 posts / 2,155 views)
Smudgerii
Posts: 18
Post #1 22 Jan 2023 16:13
0
For those that use leadless leaders...

If fishing on a silty lake with very little weed, what length of leader would you recommend for a running lead rig ( helicopter rigs banned )?
g4fne g4fne
Posts: 15,110
Post #2 22 Jan 2023 22:55
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In reply to Post #1
If im using mono mainline i use 1mtr length fluro leader for a running rig .... If using fluorocarbon mainline i would fish straight thru (no leader)
NickGordon NickGordon
Posts: 3,121
Post #3 22 Jan 2023 23:13
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In reply to Post #1
You don't need one.

I fish mono straight through with a running lead pretty much everywhere.

In fact about the only time I use a leader is with a helicopter rig.

Smudgerii
Posts: 18
Post #4 23 Jan 2023 07:02
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In reply to Post #3
Helicopter rigs are banned on the water, all fixed lead rigs banned on all their waters.

I need to fish on a tight line due to proximity of swim to tree snags in centre of the water, low depth of max 3ft at this time of year, and have been getting plagued with mono straight through being knocked constantly. Hence looking to try out a leadless leader setup.
NickGordon NickGordon
Posts: 3,121
Post #5 23 Jan 2023 08:56
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In reply to Post #4
My view is that any leader knot is a weak spot, and the place where any breakages occur.

If you need a tight line to fish the snags, I don't think that you want a leader.
If your supposedly visible mono line is getting knocked, then why fish a fluorocarbon (invisible*) leader that the fish can't see, the problem will continue.

The line knocking could be small fish, or it could be worth casting shorter if they are Carp feeding on a spot
Smudgerii
Posts: 18
Post #6 23 Jan 2023 09:46
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In reply to Post #5
I'm not looking at Fluoro and never said I was, it's a leadless sinking leader as that will remove the issue of the line being knocked but allow me to take most of the slack out of the line. I'm already dropping slightly short ( 0.5 - 1m ) of what is the ideal baiting spot trying to draw them out a little.

I know the knot is the weakest link, it's an issue I know about from my beachcasting...
alemac1 alemac1
Posts: 201
Post #7 23 Jan 2023 10:42
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In reply to Post #1
i'd go anything from 12 inches to 3 feet depending on what you want from them really.

most of the time ill have a leader of 18 inches ish. not too long, not too short. depends how much grief that end tackle is likely to come into contact with. perhaps if snag fishing a slightly longer one may be better just as an extra buffer for abrasion purposes.
Hudson Hudson
Posts: 1,456
Post #8 23 Jan 2023 12:25
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In reply to Post #1
For me as long as I can get away with. Just before the tip eye. 3 to 4 ft if casting a bit further and all the way back to the spool if not having to worry about casting at all or casting close

If not casting far or using poles/boats go longer, if casting further may have to shorten it. Nothing to say you can't use a 15ft leader

Why leadless leaders? Is that a rule? Or a preference? And what about using a 15ft heavy fluoro leader?
NickGordon NickGordon
Posts: 3,121
Post #9 23 Jan 2023 16:24
0
In reply to Post #6
Sorry the fluorocarbon comment was a kind of question and statement in one. A fluorocarbon line does sink better than mono.

What sort of distance are you fishing?
If its anything above around 40metres, I think the line is pretty much running on the lakebed anyway unless your tips are mega high.

I fish a shallow water myself, and have waded out that distance to my baits. The line is on the lakebed for a good few metres above the lead.


I know it's controversial but I think, if you have snags and weed in your water then don't use a leader at all, because of the possibility of tethering if you snap-off, whether it's thicker mono, fluorocarbon or braided leaders, be that leadcore, unleaded etc.

Now saying all that I do occasionally use Solar Contour Unleaded, but only with helicopter setups where I can be sure that the rig can be ejected off the end if I do crack-off. I tend to use a metre length.
If I need a shockleader for long casting in a clear water, either Amnesia or Greased Weasel, then it's 4 turns on the reel and my casting drop, so probably 12feet.

Hudson Hudson
Posts: 1,456
Post #10 23 Jan 2023 17:02
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In reply to Post #9
I have to try and see this with my setup one day. I use braid so no stretch and always envisioned the end of the leader popping up at medium range
Smudgerii
Posts: 18
Post #11 23 Jan 2023 17:06
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In reply to Post #9
Thanks for the replies, all the info and advice is appreciated....

30 - 40M for the best spots, and sadly the platforms are approx 1M above water level which is not ideal but the only way they could do it.

I'm not catching but know guys on similar hooklink setups, and baits, who are using leaders and catching.
NickGordon NickGordon
Posts: 3,121
Post #12 23 Jan 2023 19:32
0
In reply to Post #11
Can you raise the rod butt's so your tips are closer to the water?

Smudgerii
Posts: 18
Post #13 23 Jan 2023 19:40
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In reply to Post #12
I have as best as possible, any higher and I have a torpedo

Looking at some sinking Fluoro
The-Heff The-Heff
Posts: 3,404
Post #14 23 Jan 2023 22:20
0
In reply to Post #13
If youre fishing toght lines at the range the leader is still going to be off the bottom. Youre better off having slightly slack lines, allowing the leader to sink a bit.

And do they specify helicopter rigs are banned, as fixed leads in rules generally relates to leads fixed to the rig, that have no way of being discharged following a snap off
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